IMMINZ · IMMIGRATION GUIDE
Dependent child student visa: plan schooling together
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What to check first
- Check the child’s age, dependency and the supporting parent’s visa.
- Check whether income requirements apply to the parent and whether the child qualifies for domestic student treatment.
- Confirm guardianship or custody arrangements and the intended level of study.
Prepare for a useful first conversation
Have the child’s age, proposed school year, parent’s visa details and family relationship information ready. Flag any custody arrangements early so the required documents can be identified.
A common question
Can this visa cover university study?
INZ directs children planning tertiary study to the Fee Paying Student Visa pathway instead.
Prepare your application file
- Parent’s position: current visa, expiry and any relevant job, income or study details needed to support the child.
- Child’s file: passport, birth or adoption evidence, school plans and proof of dependency where needed.
- Care arrangements: clarify custody, consent and who will care for the child in New Zealand before arranging travel.
A point worth checking early
A parent holding a work or student visa does not automatically establish this child’s eligibility or domestic-fee status. This route is for primary or secondary schooling, not tertiary study.
Our published service fee
$500 – $800
This is the fee displayed on our service page. Confirm the scope and applicable costs before engaging us. Government charges, where applicable, are separate. Official processing estimates can change and are not guaranteed completion dates.
Discuss the support you need
Ask us to coordinate the parent and child applications, school timing and the evidence needed for the family’s circumstances.
We will confirm the work included and the applicable fees before you engage us. The checklist is a starting point; the documents required depend on your circumstances.
Related guides
Explore relevant options; moving between visas is not automatic. Each route has its own requirements.